Lagrange County court records, Indiana, are available through several channels. LagrangeCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the state's official online tools, including the MyCase portal, directly at the Clerk's Office, and through public terminals installed in the courthouse.
Lagrange Court System & Jurisdictions
There are two main state-level courts operating in Lagrange County, as well as federal jurisdiction for certain categories of cases.
Circuit Court
The Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits without monetary limits, divorce and child custody cases, probate matters (the legal process for settling the estate of a deceased person), and appeals from administrative agency decisions.
Superior Court
The Superior Court of the county takes on a significant portion of the everyday workload:
- Misdemeanor and traffic violation cases
- Small claims lawsuits — civil disputes up to $10,000
- Juvenile delinquency cases
- Protective orders
According to the Indiana court directory, the Clerk of the Circuit Court manages the office for both courts. All documents are filed and stored in this office.
Federal Jurisdiction
Federal cases concerning Lagrange County are handled by the Fort Wayne Division of the Northern District of Indiana. This includes federal criminal charges, constitutional rights lawsuits, and bankruptcy cases.
Clerk's Office Contact Information
Lagrange Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the date of an upcoming hearing, there are several options. The quickest is to call the court office directly at 260-499-6371. The clerk will confirm the date, time, and courtroom for a specific case.
Online schedule search is available through the following resources:
- MyCase — a statewide court case search portal. Enter the party's last name or case number, and the system will show scheduled hearings along with the case event timeline.
- Indiana Courts Calendar — the official calendar of the state's judicial branch, where announcements and events of individual courts are published.
- Lagrange County Page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website contains links to the county's official website and contact information for schedule clarification.
If you are a party to a case, the court usually sends a hearing date notice by mail. However, delays occur, so checking through MyCase or calling the office is a more reliable way.
How to Get a Copy of a Lagrange Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — suitable for personal review, not legally valid for submission to other institutions.
- Certified copy — contains the official stamp and clerk's signature. Required for submission to another court, government agencies, or for immigration procedures.
How to Obtain a Copy
- In person: Visit the office at 105 North Detroit Street, LaGrange, IN 46761. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and an approximate date.
- By mail: Send a written request specifying the case number, document type, number of copies, and indicate if a certified copy is needed. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount. Send to:LaGrange County Clerk's Office
- Online: Through the MyCase portal, you can view case information and some documents. However, official certified copies are only issued directly by the court office — as noted on the public records request page of the Indiana Judicial Branch.
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, sealed cases, and certain mental health records are not subject to public disclosure. If you are unsure whether a specific document is available, ask the clerk.
For genealogical research, older Lagrange County court records, including 19th-century Circuit Court materials, are stored in the Indiana State Library collection.
Lagrange Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Indiana are regulated by IC 33-37 (Indiana Code, Title 33, Article 37). Specific amounts may change, so it is recommended to confirm the current fee amount with the office by calling 260-499-6371 before payment.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Uncertified document copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified document copy | $5.00 and up (depending on document type) |
| Clerk's signature certification | $5.00 |
| Limited Criminal History search (through ISP) | $16.32 |
Several important points regarding payment:
- The office accepts payment in cash, checks, and money orders. Confirm the possibility of card payment directly at the office.
- Limited criminal history searches (felonies and Class A misdemeanors within the state) are conducted separately through the Indiana State Police and paid online.
- For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope if document delivery is needed back.
Viewing case information through LagrangeCourt.us and the MyCase portal is free — fees are only charged for obtaining official copies directly from the court office.